With the decline in honey bees, a variety of
crops are depending more on native bees and other insects (syrphid
flies, lacewings, butterflies, etc.) for pollination. There are a number
of things you can do to help conserve pollinators in your area:

Provide a variety of
flowering plants as nectar sources for pollinators. These
include trees, shrubs, and flowers. Be sure to choose plants that
flower at different times of the year, in order to have nectar
and pollen available at all times! Shrubs and perennials
native to your area and climate zone (most of Minnesota is zone 3-4)
can bloom year after year.

Minimize the use of
pesticides and avoid broad-spectrum pesticides. Many pesticides
(even some organic and natural pesticides) are toxic to bees and
other pollinators. These include the neonicotinoids, pyrethroids,
organophosphates, and others. If you must spray, choose a
biorational chemical (safer to beneficials) and spray in early
evening when most pollinators are less active (this also reduces the
risk of phytotoxicity to the plant). Planting insect- and
disease-resistant varieties, proper irrigation and nutrition
management, and allowing beneficial insects and spiders to visit the
plants may also reduce the need for using pesticides.

Provide
or preserve nesting sites for native bees. Depending on
the species, bees may nest in the ground, in cavities, or in wood.